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WBAL-TV 11 News has learned that members of the House and Senate are being asked whether they can be available on Aug. 8.

"I believe the governor has made that determination to go forward," Busch said.

Lawmakers met Wednesday behind closed doors over whether the state should allow table games and a sixth casino site that would operate in Prince George's County, where National Harbor has emerged as a favored location; however, the competitive bidding process would be open to other locations, such as Rosecroft Raceway, owned by Penn National.

Reducing the current 67 percent tax rate on gambling revenues for casino operators is also under consideration. An option of creating a special gaming commission to set the tax rate may not hold up.

"I think a vast majority of people feel more comfortable with the Legislature making a decision on tax rates rather than a commission," Busch said.

The Baltimore City delegation met with the governor and the speaker last week at City Hall, expressing concern that a sixth casino location could potentially harm the city's planned casino near M&T Bank Stadium. The city wants to use gaming revenues to reduce the property tax rate and for school renovation and construction.

On Monday, the governor's office sent the city delegation language that would be included in a special session gambling bill. That language indicates the administration wants to pool the local aid shares from the slots tax and divide the proceeds in thirds.

The wording is essentially a guarantee that the city's local share would not be less than the amount it would have received prior to the opening of a sixth casino site.

No one has confirmed the 71 votes needed for passage in the House will come through.

"I think it is a very irresponsible thing to do to call a special session if you don't know the votes are there," said Delegate Curt Anderson, D-District 43, chairman of the Baltimore City delegation.

Caesars Entertainment, which could be awarded a slots license next week in Baltimore City, also wrote to delegation members to explain why expanding gambling benefits Baltimore.

Jan Jones, Caesars' senior vice president of communications, said the company supports a special session legislation allowing live table games at all casino locations. Jones cited the creation of 500 new well-paying jobs in Baltimore.

The letter indications resolution of the gambling expansion issue would result in market stability, but there's also a plea to make changes to the current law, including lowering the tax rate on slots revenues and capping the tax rate on table game revenue at 14 percent.

To entice support, delegations may submit separate wish list bills. For example, Baltimore City wants to raise its debt limit to borrow more school construction money.

"It's a gamble," Anderson said.

Penn National, which operates Hollywood Casino in Perryville, Cecil County, put the governor on notice this week vowing to fight against any gaming plan that does not include Rosecroft Raceway, a race track it owns.